Vatican official ordains subdeacon at Mariapoch pilgrimage

BURTON, Ohio — The Eparchy of Parma welcomed a new subdeacon, ordained by a Vatican official during the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch, Aug. 18-19.

Archbishop Cyril Vasil, SJ, secretary of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches, ordained seminarian Nathan Adams to the minor orders of reader, candle-bearer and sub-deacon prior to celebrating Great Vespers at the shrine, Aug. 18.

Archbishop Vasil attended the pilgrimage as a special guest at the invitation of Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, of Parma.

The theme of the 62nd annual pilgrimage was, “Rejoice, O Tabernacle of God the Word.”
Adams, 36, will begin his last year at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Sts. Cyril & Methodius in Pittsburgh. He is a convert from the Anglican Church. He and his wife, Alison, have five daughters: Sidney, 9; Savannah, 7; RoseyLynn, 4; Abigail, 3; and Molly, 1.

Adams said he was most moved by the prayers for the reader during his ordination.
“This is the first step toward (future major orders) — a calling to preserve purity,” he said.

One’s sense of responsibility becomes stronger, he said. He noted the importance of lighting candles, the “movement of being closer to the holy table,” with each minor order.

An academic at heart, Adams said he hopes his ministry will include teaching. As a priest, he said he would also like to focus on “a life of prayer, weekly Bible study, book groups and evangelization, outreach at the lay level.”

“Community is so important,” he said.

A native of Slovakia, Archbishop Vasil delivered his homily in Slovak. Father Marek Visnovsky, the protosyncellus of the eparchy, offered the English translation.

The archbishop told attendees they witnessed not only the ordination to minor orders but also the tonsure of Adams.

“Sometimes we see only the spiritual things; we forget about the material things,” he said. “The church looks at material things. Faith is revealed through the physical body.”

The archbishop explained that tonsure was a sign of humility and of giving one’s life to God. To give up one’s hair was to give up power.

Archbishop Vasil also reflected on the celebration of the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, which was the purpose of the pilgrimage.

He said that she was bodily taken up to heaven was another material dimension of the Catholic faith.

“When we celebrate the Dormition, we ask for each of us to follow her, to be united with Christ. For this we pray,” he concluded.

Later in the evening, Archbishop Vasil spoke, this time without a translator, to a group of young people and families gathered around a campfire. He gave a bit of his background and explained his position in church governance. He answered questions from the group, including: “Do you still celebrate Liturgy?” He replied that there is a chapel in the building that houses the Congregation for Eastern Churches, and he and two other priests rotate celebrating Liturgy there.

“Even bishops pray,” he said.

The two-day pilgrimage began earlier in the day, when about 40 people gathered at the large cross on the shrine grounds for the blessing of pilgrims, by Father Michael Hayduk.
Pilgrims then processed to the shrine altar for a Moleben to the Mother of God, also celebrated by Father Hayduk.

The following morning, Father Dennis Hrubiak celebrated Matins, and retired Bishop John Kudrick of Parma celebrated the Slavonic Divine Liturgy.

His homily centered on Mary as the model of discipleship for the church. In this time of crisis and questioning in the church, due to the ongoing revelations of sex abuse by clergy, he advised looking to Mary for comfort and solace.

The perfect summer weather provided the backdrop for the teens to have a rousing soccer game; even a few monastics joined in.

A nun, a young laywoman, the new sub-deacon and a seasoned deacon then gave vocation talks.

Mother Theodora Strohmeyer, hegumena of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery, spoke about the gift of monasticism to the church: prayer offered for all. She called the monastery a “power plant” of prayer. She said we are all called to be living, walking tabernacles.

Bohdanna Harmatiy, a member of St. Andrew Ukrainian Catholic Church in Parma, spoke about the call to be attentive during prayer services.

She gave five ways to be attentive and take care of our bodies: be alert and aware; be prepared as per the example given in the Parable of the Wise Virgins; be available; pray and focus; and don’t worry, have faith.

Adams spoke about participating in the mission of Christ. He said Christ’s mission is toward the world.

“We are all called to be mission families,” he said.

Deacon Bill Fredrick, who serves at St. Joseph Parish in Brecksville, Ohio, concluded the witness talks with a presentation of his deacon “vestments” — aprons he wears at various events where he serves.

He said a deacon’s volunteerism extends beyond the altar. Deacon Fredrick said he also relies heavily on his “deaconette,” his wife, Nancy. He said she is part of his ministry: she makes prosphora for the parish, she prays with him and supports him.

He said the life of a deacon is rewarding but also can be frustrating and depressing. He invited anyone who would like to find out what the life of a deacon is like to help at the shrine cafe. The presenters then answered questions about their various vocations.

Then, the newly refurbished Fatima shrine on the grounds was the site for the praying of a Rosary to end abortion. This was followed by the sacrament of anointing of the sick.

Sunday’s highlight was the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Bishop Lach. Members of the Knights of Columbus escorted the procession of the icon of Our Lady of Mariapoch to the shrine altar.

Concelebrants included Fathers Hrubiak and Visnovksy, as well as Fathers John Kachuba, James Batcha, Peter Lach and Peter Borza. Fathers Lach and Borza are from Slovakia. Deacons Joseph Hnat and Gregory Loya assisted.

Bishop Lach, in his homily, said, “We are gathered with the Mother of God of Mariapoch as our mom. Everyone needs a mom.”

He commented that Byzantine Catholics begin the church year Sept. 1, with a Marian feast day soon to follow, the Nativity of the Mother of God, celebrated Sept. 8, and conclude the church year around the feast of her Dormition, Aug. 15.

Referring to the current sex abuse scandals, he said, “I am sad in my heart for those victims.” He encouraged everyone to pray and do penance.

“Please pray for us bishops, priests, seminarians, religious. The devil wants to corrupt us first. Without your support, sacrifices, penitence, we cannot change the church.”

At the end of liturgy, Bishop Lach thanked shrine director Deacon Fredrick, as well as the volunteers, monastics, clergy and supporters of the shrine. He then led a procession for the reading of the Gospel at the four corners of the shrine altar.

About 250 people attended the Sunday Liturgy and stayed for dinner and fellowship. Bob Dirda, shrine advisory board member and shrine chef, worked with volunteers to provide meals and refreshments throughout the weekend. The gift shop was open and manned by Dirda’s parents, Bob Sr., and Pat.

Caption:
Archbishop Cyril Vasil, secretary of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, tonsures seminarian Nathan Adams as part of the rite of ordination to the subdiaconate. The ordination occurred prior to Vespers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch in Burton, Ohio, Aug. 18. Archbishop Vasil was invited as a special guest to the annual eparchial pilgrimage. Also photographed, retired Bishop John Kudrick of Parma (far right), Father Michael Hayduk, who served as master of ceremony, and altar server Joseph Basalla. (Photo: Reen Nemeth)

As published in Horizons, Aug. 26, 2018.Sign up for the Horizons e-newsletter.